{
  "id": 12156360,
  "title": "ECP 'ready' for LG polls in Punjab but cites legal and administrative hurdles in KP, Islamabad",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/ecp-ready-for-lg-polls-in-punjab-but-cites-legal-and-administrative",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T13:25:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2034940/ecp-ready-for-lg-polls-in-punjab-but-cites-legal-and-administrative-hurdles-in-kp-islamabad"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has stated that it is ready to conduct local government (LG) elections in Punjab but faces legal and administrative obstacles in holding polls in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Quetta, and cantonment boards. This assessment was made during a special meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, who reviewed preparations for LG elections across all provinces, Islamabad, and cantonments.\n\nIn Punjab, the ECP indicated readiness to hold LG polls, and has sent a draft election schedule to the provincial government. They have also requested lists for appointing district returning officers, returning officers, and assistant returning officers, urging the Punjab government to respond to the draft schedule as soon as possible. In Sindh, preparations for LG elections are underway, with instructions issued to the provincial office to take necessary steps.\n\nIn Islamabad, delimitation has been completed, but the Islamabad Capital Territory Amendment Ordinance 2026 has lapsed. The National Assembly Standing Committee had approved legislation in line with the ordinance, and the ECP decided to take up the matter with the federal government to expedite its completion. Should the legislation not be enacted, the ECP intends to proceed with the elections under the existing Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government Act 2015.\n\nFor cantonment board elections, delimitation has been completed across all cantonments, and the ECP stands ready to hold the polls. However, the ECP is awaiting a formal request from the federal government under Section 19-D of the Cantonments Act 2023, which has not been received despite reminders and a letter from the Chief Election Commissioner. Should no request be forthcoming, the ECP intends to write a final letter to the Ministry of Defence, after which they will decide on the conduct of elections.\n\nIn Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, delimitation has been carried out in 23 districts, while seven districts are currently undergoing the process. However, the provincial government amended Section 6 of the KP Local Government Act 2023, raising the threshold for village and neighborhood councils from 5,000-15,000 to 30,000-40,000. This amendment conflicts with the number of councils detailed in the 9th Schedule of the Act, making delimitation impractical. The provincial government has been asked to assist the ECP in amending the number of councils suitably, but no action has been taken, and the issue remains under ECP consideration.\n\nIn Balochistan, the LG institutions' term ends on February 8, 2027. However, LG polls in Quetta cannot be held despite orders from the Federal Constitutional Court. The ECP completed delimitation in Quetta on May 21, 2026, as per the court's order, but the provincial government divided Quetta into two districts without providing necessary boundary data. The ECP observed the Balochistan government's response as \"really slow\" and plans to write to the provincial government for prompt completion of legislation and compliance with the court order.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday said it was ready to hold local government (LG) elections in Punjab but faces legal and administrative hurdles in conducting polls in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Quetta and cantonment boards. The assessment came at a special meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja to review preparations for LG…",
  "key_points": [
    "ECP ready for LG polls in Punjab, facing legal/administrative hurdles in KP, Islamabad",
    "Punjab ECP sent draft election schedule, requested lists for appointing officers",
    "Islamabad delimitation completed, pending LG ordinance enactment to proceed with elections"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "ECP 'ready' for LG polls in Punjab but cites legal and administrative hurdles in KP, Islamabad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/ecp-ready-for-lg-polls-in-punjab-but-cites-legal-and-administrative-12161622",
        "published": "2026-10-05T13:37:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}